Medical billing: define the right commission
Medical billing goes beyond sending invoices. Recording services, tariff assignment, transmission and payment control have separate responsibilities. A clear commission defines delegated work and professional approvals retained by the practice.
Separate the required tasks
Ongoing billing, processing existing invoices and introducing a new workflow differ. Give the exact invoice volume and provider count. Clarify invoicing alone versus handling returns, payment checks and reminders.
| Task | Clarify before commissioning |
|---|---|
| Recording and tariff | Who records and professionally approves? |
| Invoicing | Recipient, format and invoice copy |
| Follow-up | Queries, payment checks and reminders |
Clarify service domain and current tariffs
Since January 2026 ambulatory physician services use the combined TARDOC and ambulatory lump-sum system. These structures cannot freely be combined for one treatment. Dentistry, therapies and inpatient work require separate tariff assessment. Agree responsibility for updates and professional assignment.
Assess the existing technical workflow
Existing practice software may remain usable depending on its functions. Export format, interface, approval and responses need concrete tests. Establish required data, duplicate prevention and error responsibility. An interface promise is not a verified transition.
Agree recipients and query handling
Invoices to insurers and to patients may follow different workflows. Clarify copies, delivery channel and administrative queries. Clinical queries remain with the responsible professional. The practice needs visibility of progress even after delegation.
Transfer patient data after clarification
Health data is specially protected. Visiting a practice does not automatically imply consent to external billing disclosure. Clarify information, required consent or another appropriate basis, professional secrecy, access and retention before transfer. The quote enquiry contains no patient data or treatment records.
Compare all fees and related services
Fees may depend on invoice volume, work and setup. Separate delivery, corrections, returns and support. Factoring and collection are additional contract questions rather than automatic invoicing features. Compare equivalent volume and service packages.
| Quote item | Comparison question |
|---|---|
| Setup | Import, interface and training? |
| Ongoing work | Invoices, delivery and returns? |
| Additional contract | Financing, collection and termination? |
Plan introduction, checks and handback
Set the starting point and responsibility for older invoices. Check the complete workflow with an appropriately prepared privacy-preserving test case. Agree corrections, reports and termination export. A new billing provider guarantees neither reimbursement nor removal of every return.
Frequently asked questions
Does TARDOC cover every health profession?
No. Service domain and applicable tariffs are assessed separately.
Can I keep existing software?
Possibly. Interface, export and responses need concrete checks.
Are reminders always included?
No. Agree scope and costs explicitly.
Can I upload patient dossiers here?
No. The enquiry needs no health data. Later exchange is arranged securely.
Is factoring part of invoicing?
Not automatically. Assess finance and its contract terms separately.
Are rejected invoices ruled out?
No. Agree checks, corrections and responsibility without a reimbursement guarantee.
